Monitoring China and Pakistan, India Prepares to Launch 52 More Satellites

On the 5th, The Times of India reported that the Modi government has approved the third phase of the "Space Surveillance Program," planning to build and launch 52 satellites to monitor China and Pakistan. The launch mission is expected to be completed by 2029.

This so-called "Space Surveillance Program" is a key project in India's military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability development, aiming to achieve continuous, high-resolution monitoring of land borders (especially India-China and India-Pakistan borders), maritime areas (Indian Ocean region), and strategic targets through the deployment of military reconnaissance satellites.

The program is divided into three phases. The first phase was approved in 2001, with the deployment of 4 satellites; the second phase was approved in 2013, deploying 6 satellites; while the third phase takes a significant leap forward, planning to deploy 52 satellites.

Many people may find it hard to believe that India could swallow such a large project all at once. But objectively speaking, from the perspective of launch capability alone, India does have the potential to realize this plan.

After more than half a century of experience, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a cost-effective "low-cost, high-efficiency" launch strategy. Through simplified design, mass production, and multi-satellite launch technology, ISRO has significantly reduced per-satellite costs and launch barriers (with pricing often below international averages).

The real challenge lies in the satellites themselves. According to Indian media reports, 31 of these 52 satellites will be contracted to three private Indian companies for construction, ostensibly to demonstrate India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

However, considering the actual state of India’s manufacturing capabilities, it is questionable whether these three private firms can independently build satellites. The so-called "indigenous satellites" are likely to still rely on collaboration with foreign commercial space companies, with core components and high-precision sensors probably needing to be imported from abroad—ultimately bearing the label "Made in India."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867334157985930/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.